About the project
The Anillo for Light-Matter Interactions in Topological Nanomaterials investigates novel electronic properties of 2D- materials, topological materials and their heterostructures, focusing on their interaction with light in order to foster the scientific knowledge required for the next generation of optical nanodevices to efficiently store and transfer information. In particular, we shall study electro-optical interactions between single light emitters and individual and collective excitations in these heterostructures, as novel pathways for future nano-photonics devices.
We aim at expanding the frontiers of knowledge in the emerging field of light-matter interactions in two-dimensional (2D) and topological materials. This is a challenging goal that can only be achieved by combining the ideas of our team of experts in condensed matter physics, materials science and quantum optics, along with our senior international collaborators. There are few groups in Chile working on nanotechnology, and others working on quantum optics, but there is a minimal overlap between both fields. We will be the first national group integrating both areas, and we aim at becoming leaders in the field in Latin America, with a strong impact worldwide. One of the weaknesses of the Chilean research initiatives is the splitting between experimentalists and theoreticians. In our group, experimentalists and theoreticians will work side to side as a crucial strategy to achieve our goals.
Our group is connected to internationally recognized research centers worldwide and will foster a permanent advanced training of human resources in nanotechnology. Several graduate students and post-doctoral researchers will participate on this proposal. These young scientists will benefit from exposure to state of the art experimental techniques and theoretical methods, both at our labs as well as in training visits at our senior international collaborators. Therefore, involving young researchers around this subject will seed the emergence of the first theoretical-experimental group specialized in this discipline in Chile, with a worldwide impact.
Finally, to efficiently communicate our research to the society, we will develop a strategy to involve two specific groups: Educational sector and decision makers. Through them, we will actively target underrepresented groups in science, such as women and ethnic minorities.